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Philippine agriculture sector, with improving rice output and steady gains in livestock and poultry expected to offset a weak first-quarter performance, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said, even as emerging risks cloud the outlook later this year. “We are seeing encouraging signs on the ground, with rice production likely recovering in the second quarter […]
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has intensified efforts to prepare local farmers and consumers for a potentially strong El Niño event, which could shrink harvests and disrupt the food supply. While such losses cannot be entirely prevented, Tiu Laurel said they could be minimized through strategies like […]
The Department of Agriculture is spending P55 million to upgrade food safety monitoring capability, equipping laboratories of the Bureau of Plant Industry nationwide to detect nitrate and nitrite contaminants in plant-based foods. The move signals a more data-driven approach to regulating produce safety, as authorities begin building baseline evidence for future national standards. Agriculture Secretary […]
The Philippines and Japan are moving to recalibrate their agricultural partnership, with officials laying the groundwork for key agreements during a high-level meeting, ahead of the scheduled state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Japan later this month. Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo led officials in a courtesy call on Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel […]
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and its Regional Field Offices simultaneously launched the 2026 National Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month (NFFM) marking the start of a nationwide celebration honoring farmers and fisherfolk. This year’s theme, “Pagbibigay-pugay para sa magsasaka’t mangingisda sa gitna ng hamon at krisis,” highlights the farmers and fisherfolk’s resilience and commitment to ensuring […]
The Department of Agriculture (DA), led by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., is stepping up market interventions as palay prices weaken in several major producing provinces, even as the main harvest season draws close to completion. During a consultative meeting with rice industry stakeholders, the DA noted that with about 77 percent of the national […]
A stronger rice harvest is expected in the current dry season, while agriculture officials are also expressing optimism that higher farmgate palay prices will translate into improved planting intentions for the next cropping cycle. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the recent recovery in palay prices is restoring confidence among farmers after a period […]
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is implementing a coordinated, data-informed preparedness plan to help the agriculture sector manage potential dry conditions associated with a possible El Niño later in 2026. The plan builds on lessons from the 2024 dry spell and focuses on readiness, coordination, and timely interventions. At the center of the preparations are […]
The Department of Agriculture (DA) signed a landmark agreement with publicly-listed Megawide Construction Corp. to develop integrated agricultural infrastructure projects aimed at boosting farmers’ incomes, reducing post-harvest losses, and strengthening the country’s long-term food security. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) aligns with Republic Act No. 7900 and forms part of the government’s broader push to […]
The Department of Agriculture is stepping up preparations for a looming El Niño episode, warning that a moderate to strong event later this year could hit farm output, sharply undermine farmers’ income, and slow down economic activity. “It is no longer a question whether we will experience another El Niño after the 2024 episode that […]